Addison 'Joe' Graves Wilson, Sr. (born July 31, 1947) is a Republican politician from the state of South Carolina. He currently serves in the House of Representatives, representing South Carolina's Second Congressional District. Wilson obtained the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army.

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Early Life

Wilson was born on July 31, 1947, in Charleston, South Carolina. He received his undergraduate degree from Washington & Lee University in 1969 and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1972. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1972-1975. [1]

Political Career

From an early age, Wilson has been actively involved in politics as a member of the [Republican Party]. He served on the campaigns of Senator [Strom Thurmond] and Congressman [Floyd Spence]. In 1981, Wilson was appointed Deputy General Counsel for the Department of Energy. Subsequently, Wilson served in the South Carolina state senate from 1984-2001. [2] On December 18, 2001, Wilson was elected to the 107th Congress by special election, filling the seat held by Floyd Spence until his death. He has since been reelected to each of the four succeeding Congresses. [3]

Obama's Address to Congress

In a September 9, 2009 healthcare reform address to Congress, Joe Wilson shouted out "You lie" while Obama was giving a speech declaring illegal aliens were not covered under healthcare reform legislation. [4]
Radio America talk-radio host Rodger Hedgecock indicated that Wilson was right.[5]

Wilson apologized for letting his emotions get the best of him. Democrats were livid by his actions but chose not censure him. However, it has been leaked that Democrats will introduce a resolution of disapproval.[6]

Since that incident, Americans rallied around Joe Wilson having donated more than $1,000,000 to his campaign for reelection despite online attacks from liberal hackers.[7] Despite Democrats' fake outrage, Wilson's Democratic opponent has managed to raise a million dollars as well since the 9th, though public did not contribute nearly as much to his campaign as the public contributed to Congressman Wilson's reelection campaign.